This blog has nothing to do with gorillas (though I love 'em)...fellow bloggers have inspired me to share vintage images of Disneyland from my personal collection. But don't be surprised if you see something from a World's Fair, Knott's Berry Farm, or someplace else that is cool!

Monday, August 01, 2011

The magnificent Matterhorn is still one of my favorite sights at Disneyland. Just a few weeks ago I was driving on Interstate 5, had a two-second glimpse of it, and I felt happier. True story.

The park just opened, and the hub is freshly scrubbed and polished, as all good hubs should be. Look, there's still an exposed fire hydrant to the right. The Matterhorn has been liberally dusted with powdered sugar and filled with raspberry jelly. Kids can't resist it!

Dad can't seem to figure out how to fasten his safety belt, and his little girl is getting annoyed. "Get the lead out, daddy!" she screams in her cigarette-roughened voice, and it's just making him more frustrated. You'll see tears soon.

9 comments:

Yes the Matterhorn has that effect; no matter the decade. In '74, that kid is off a-runnin' for the Matterhorn just like I would!

Hm maybe that's Chris Montez with the 'burns and he's actually signing an autograph. Meantime, while Mother is working on the restraints, the cast member is bracing for the hazardous part of his job, offering Mattermallows to the abominable snowkid in back.

The sign says "Photo Trail" with the red GAF logo next to the text. GAF took over from Kodak (as I recall) as the "official sponsor" of photography at Disneyland, and the sings were intended to call attention to spots that would result in particularly good photographs.

I'm sure these signs are today responsible for the tons of nearly identical pictures we have of Tom Sawyer's Island, the castle, the Matterhorn....

We would drive the two miles from our house to I-5 then turn South, then 1,151 miles, and two days later, there to the right would be the Matterhorn. I would get excited like I was 12 years old again while my kids in the back would barely look up from their Gameboys with a grunt.